TIMBER GRIDSHELLS: DESIGN METHODS AND THEIR

APPLICATION TO A TEMPORARY PAVILION

Dragoș Naicu1, Richard Harris2, Chris Williams3

ABSTRACT: This paper describes timber gridshell design methods and building techniques. The authors’ experience with
such projects is used to highlight the advantages of timber gridshells. Relevant built examples are presented and their form-
finding and analysis methods are discussed. The relevance of the timber gridshell technique is illustrated by a recently built
project in Cluj, Romania that builds upon previous knowledge and takes advantage of modern computational tools that are
available for both architects and engineers.

KEYWORDS: Timber structure, Timber gridshell, Form finding, Structural analysis, Dynamic relaxation

1 INTRODUCTION 123
Timber gridshells are a solution to the growing interests of
free-form architecture in the context of an ever increasing
awareness of the natural limitations of our environment.
The characteristics of timber gridshells - long-span, light-
weight, affordable and sustainable - argue that it should be
a perfect fit to some of the architectural programmes of our
time. However, their use has so far been limited to
experimental pavilions and a few very worthy, large-scale, Figure 1: Left – Shell element; Right – Gridshell element
permanent buildings. In this paper, we present existing
gridshells that have answered the needs of architecture and Two types become obvious: one featuring continuous grid
discuss various methods used to design them, including members with long laths spanning across the whole
physical and computational methods. We conclude by structure overlapping each other at the nodes, and the other
presenting a recent example that was informed directly by one featuring discrete grid members that connect at nodes
the construction process. (Table 1). This paper is concerned with continuous
member timber gridshells only.
2 BACKGROUND
Table 1: Different types of gridshells
Shells are structures that are defined by a curved surface,
often a doubly curved surface. Gridshells, also referred to Continuous Grid Examples
as lattice shells or reticulated shells, are defined as Members
structures “with the shape and strength of a double- Timber Mannheim Multihalle,
curvature shell, but made of a grid instead of a solid Mannheim, Germany
surface” [1]. Figure 1 shows typical elements of a shell and Cardboard Japan Pavilion, Hannover,
a gridshell. The materials out of which such structures Germany
have been constructed include aluminium, steel, timber, Glass-Fibre Solidays music pavilion,
cardboard or glass-fibre composites. As a result of the Composites Paris, France [13]
differences in the material, differences in the construction
Discrete Grid Examples
and assembly processes arise which lead to a possible
Members
classification of gridshells.
Timber Pods Sports Complex,
1 Scunthorpe, UK
Dragoș Naicu, University of Bath, 6 East Claverton Campus,
Bath, UK. Email: [email protected] Steel British Museum Great Court
2
Richard Harris, University of Bath, UK Roof, London, UK
3
Chris Williams, University of Bath, UK
2.1 TIMBER GRIDSHELLS create an interesting challenge for these connections. This
has been resolved with two elegant solutions (Figure 2.3).
The timber gridshell technique was first developed by
Professor Frei Otto and involves deforming a flat grid of
The first design, involved slotted holes in the top two
identical straight timber laths into a doubly curved shape.
layers for the bolts that would allow the necessary
This is made possible by the low torsional stiffness of
movement [4]. Once the final shape was obtained, the bolts
timber and by ensuring that nodal rotations are allowed [2].
would be tightened and the desired clamping force applied
The deformation is possible in two modes, either starting
to the connection [3].
flat on the ground, and pushing upwards, or assembling the
grid above ground and lowering it using gravity.

Using a double-layered system, with 4 sets of laths

arranged in two directions (Figure 2.1), allows such
structures to achieve higher curvatures and hence, more
exciting architectural expressions.

Figure 2.3: Left – Slotted hole connection; Right – Plates

and external bolts connection (adapted from [6])

More recent timber gridshells have used a design which

features steel plates between the layers with 4 bolts
Figure 2.1: Single layer and double layer arrangements connecting the plates without penetrating the laths [4]. In
this arrangement, “the outermost layers are effectively
Due to the two-directional arrangement of members, passengers that are free to slide relative to the central
timber gridshells can support forces along the two layers” [6]. Other benefits include the fact that the costly
directions (tension or compression) and out-of-plane slotting of the laths is avoided. Furthermore, this allows for
bending. In order to provide in-plane shear strength and other features to be embedded into the design (Figure 2.4).
stiffness, the structures need to have diagonal bracing in If needed, two opposing bolts may be lengthened enabling
the form of cross ties, rigid bracing or an active covering the attachment of stiffeners [4], or as in the case of the
system. Chiddingstone gridshell, the connection could incorporate
the frameless glazing mounting [7].
In the case of double-layered gridshells, there is also a
need to provide shear transfer between the top and bottom
laths [3]. This is achieved through the nodal connnections
themselves and through the use of shear blocks, inserted
between the laths, leading to a “composite section that has
significantly greater strength than the individual laths” [4],
as shown below in Figure 2.2.

Figure 2.4: Left – Plates connection with extended bolts

and diagonal bracing (from [6]); Right – Plates connections
with adaptable fixing for frameless glazing (from [7])

2.2 EXAMPLES
Figure 2.2: Plan and section of double layer system
showing shear blocks (adapted from [6]) 2.2.1 Mannheim Multihalle
This technique was first used on a large scale for the
One of the advantages of the timber gridshell technique is Mannheim Multihalle in 1975 by Frei Otto together with
that it allows the use of identical nodal connections, Arup. The building, shown in Figure 2.5, featured two
throughout the structure. However, the layered nature of domes, spanning 60m and 40m respectively, as well as
the structural system, together with the fact that the post- connecting pathways [3]. The structure was realised using
forming process requires the layers to have freedom to 50mm x 50mm hemlock sections joined together to form
slide along each other as well as rotate during construction, the laths on a 0.5m grid layout. The system used a double
layer configuration with in-plane stiffness achieved by
pairs of 6mm cables every 6th node. The details of design The structure was assembled on a 1.0m grid from 80mm x
and construction are presented in Happold and Liddell [3] 50mm larch sections arranged in a double layer system.
and IL13 [14]. Unlike previous projects, the two top layers (C, D in
Figure 2.2) and the two bottom layers (A, B in Figure 2.2)
The Multihalle was a pioneering work of design and are independently connected and joined to each other by
engineering and its delivery was only made possible due to the use of shear blocks. In this case, the shear blocks were
the high level of skills, knowledge and experience on the twice the normal depth in order to provide the structure
part of the people involved as well as their combined drive with a higher second moment of area [5].
to innovate.

Figure 2.7: Savill Garden gridshell; exterior with corrugated

vault shape on slanted steel supports; interior view (images
– Richard Harris)
2.2.4 Chiddingstone Orangery
Figure 2.5: Mannheim Multihalle: exterior with two domes One of the smaller and lesser known timber gridshells is
and connecting pathways; interior of one of the domes the one built by Peter Hulbert Architects with Buro
(from [14]) Happold and Green Oak Carpentry in 2004 as a roof for an
old orangery which is of historic interest (Figure 2.8) [7].
2.2.2 Weald & Downland Its main feature is the precision engineered integration
The Weald and Downland gridshell (Figure 2.6) was built between the double layer gridshell and the frameless
in 2002, more than two decades after the Mannheim glazing system. This was done by specially designed nodal
project. The architect was Edward Cullinan Architects with connections, as detailed in Section 2.1.
engineering by Buro Happold and carpentry by Green Oak
Carpentry.
It features an uninterrupted floor space which is 48 m long
and between 11 and 16 m wide, enclosed by a corrugated
barrel vault shape. The double layer gridshell was built
from locally sourced oak with 50mm x 35mm sections
arranged on a 1.0m grid that was halved in some areas to
0.5m [4].

Figure 2.8: Chiddingstone gridshell; interior view; detail of

grid layout showing two layers, nodal connector and shear
blocks (from [7])

2.3 COMPARISON
Figure 2.6: Weald & Downland gridshell; exterior with triple One of the advantages of timber gridshells is the relatively
hour-glass shape; interior view (from Architect’s Journal low cost associated with them. Figure 2.9 shows a cost
Building Library) comparison between the three major timber gridshell
projects that have been built so far with regard to the
2.2.3 Savill Garden gridshell cost only. The values are obtained from the data
The Savill Garden gridshell (Figure 2.7) was built in 2006 collected from the papers published on their design and
by Glenn Howells Architects with Engineers HRW, Buro construction and updated to 2010 GBP and can be found in
Happold and Green Oak Carpentry [5]. It is also a Naicu [11]. Based on Harris et al. [4] the gridshell cost of
corrugated barrel vault that spans over a 90 m long and, at the Savill Garden and Weald and Downland was assumed
its widest, a 25 m wide space. The gridshell roof is to be 28% of the entire structure. As a measure of
supported all along its perimeter on a tubular steel beam
raised above ground on slanted columns.
comparison, the cost of The Palacio de Comunicaciones 4 in Museum Roof. The area was chosen as representative
Madrid, one of the more recent steel gridshells, constructed because of the different shapes that they cover and
in 2009, is also shown. The comparison illustrates the choosing a single span would penalise some in reference to
financial viability of timber gridshells in relation to similar the others.
types of structures constructed from other materials and
also shows that this has been the case since the first project The result of this is that timber gridshells compare very
was completed (Mannheim). well with steel ones. For example, the Savill Garden
Building weight and covered area are both around 40% of
that of the British Museum, whereas the Mannheim
Multihalle weighs only 20% while covering 60% of the
British Museum area. This was however intended to be a
temporary building.

2.4 PAVILION ZA
More recently, a double-layered timber gridshell was
designed during a student workshop in Cluj, Romania with
the widely used digital physics modelling package
Kangaroo Live Physics.

Figure 2.9: Timber gridshell cost comparison; using £2010

2
adjusted values per m

Figure 2.11: Pavilion ZA (image – Dragos Naicu)

The gridshell, shown in Figure 2.11, functioned as a

temporary cultural venue in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. It
spanned 18 m x 13 m with a height of 4.0m by using a
structure with laths made from Siberian larch, 70mm x
20mm in section. The grid was assembled from 3.5m by
3.5m modules, connected on site using a double-splice
joint (Figure 3.1). In-plane bracing was achieved by a third
layer of locally sourced spruce ribs with the same cross-
section.

Figure 2.10: Normalised weight and covered area

comparison; British Museum Great Court Roof used as
nominal value

Furthermore, timber gridshells are very efficient ways to

span large distances. Figure 2.10 shows a comparison of
their self-weight against the covered area [11]. In order to
better compare these structures, the values were
normalised against the reference values for the British
Figure 2.12: Typical gridshell modules (plan view)
4
Communications Palace Courtyard Roof by Schlaich
Bergermann und Partner
The pavilion featured four arched entrances where areas of In addition, timber gridshells require the use of very long
highest curvature were present. In these areas, 2 laths, each straight laths. In order to achieve this, joining shorter
one 10mm in thickness, were used for each layer so that timbers is necessary and it also provides the means to
bending the gridshell into shape would be possible without control the timber quality.
breakages (Figure 2.13).
For both the Weald & Downland and Savill Garden
gridshells the same process was used. The timber was
“sawn, finger-jointed and planed off-site” [2] producing
6.0m lengths. Using a workshop on-site, the higher grade
material was scarf joined into the specified lath lengths.
Lower grade material was used for shear blocks and
auxiliary pieces [2].

Figure 2.13: Pavilion ZA: typical connection showing

thinner laths used for higher curvature areas at entrances,
slotted hole and steel bracket for bracing attachment
(image – AStA Cluj)

The pavilion was designed and built by local architecture Figure 3.1: Section view: Top – splice joint used for
students, with funding acquired through sponsorship from Pavilion ZA (includes two additional timbers between the
local commercial institutions, including the timber laths); Bottom – alternative splice joint (overlap of layers
supplier. The first author was involved in all stages of this means no additional layers are needed)
project.
The method described above involves specialised
3 MATERIALS carpentry skills in order to produce a quality product, in
Different architectural and structural solutions create addition to special working conditions on and off site.
varying requirements for the materials they employ and More recently, an alternative method of joining the timbers
there is no timber choice applicable for all. Table 2 below was devised and used in a few cases that involved the
summarises the reasons for the materials used. assembly of grid modules from the timber lengths
available, followed by the splice-joining of the modules.
Table 2: Timber species choice and reason for use

Project Reasons
Mannheim Western hemlock [1]
Available in long lengths, normally
straight grained, due to the tree growing
up to 60 m with a straight bole
Weald & Oak [4]
Downland Durable, available from sustainable
sources in the UK and with a better
performance that the other species on
the shortlist
Savill Larch [5]
Garden Available at the client’s commercially
managed and certified woodland; of
“exceptional quality” Figure 3.2: Pavilion ZA interior (image – AStA Cluj)
Pavilion Siberian Larch
ZA Based on the use of larch for Savill The authors have first become aware of this method
Garden; available from supplier; through its use by a team of architects and engineers in
aesthetic quality and durability Naples, Italy [9]. Pavilion ZA was designed and built using
this approach due to the fact that the Siberian larch lengths
available were 4.0m. Figure 3.1 shows the connection used
for Pavilion ZA (top) together with an alternative option
(bottom). The use of a modular system can lead to the gridshell in Essen, and then for a larger scale Mannheim
visibility of kinks in the deformed grid when there is not model [3].
enough lateral resistance from the connections (Figure
3.2). The alternative connection would be a better choice 4.2 ANALYTIC APPROACH
in this case. Another way to define a grid structure is by explicitly
specifying a surface and then describing a grid of nodes
4 FORM FINDING and lines on that surface. This method was used for the
The term form-finding is often used to describe the process Savill Garden project, which departed entirely from the use
of defining the shape of a structure which features a of physical modelling.
complex geometry. Under this category, one would include
shells and gridshells as well as cable nets, fabric structures Instead, form-finding was achieved entirely using
or pneumatic structures. This process is often influenced computers and the surface was defined mathematically by
by factors such as structure type, material properties, a damped sine wave for the centre line and varying size
boundary conditions and construction requirements. parabolas for the cross-sections [5]. A regular grid was
then imposed on the surface generated using the
4.1 FUNICULAR APPROACH Chebyshev net method. There are an infinite number of
Chebyshev nets that can be applied to a surface, and its
Funicular gridshells are produced by inverting the shape of orientation is one of the main design parameters available
a hanging chain model, which is under pure tension, thus at this stage. In addition, there are other geometric methods
obtaining a pure compression structure under its own that could be applied to describing a grid on a surface.
weight. Most famously, this has been applied by Gaudi for
the Colonia Guell and it has its historical roots in Robert
Hooke’s catenary experiments.
Professor Otto developed the prototype for timber
gridshells by taking advantage of the fact that “the shape of
a quadrangular chain net can be recreated in the initial
shape by a flexurally semi-rigid lattice of steel or wooden
rods in a uniform mesh provided that the lattice is rotatable
at the inter-section points” [3].

As a consequence, the Mannheim Multihalle had its shape Figure 4.2: Savill Garden roof structure (from [5])
determined by a hanging chain physical model which was
translated into a compression structure using 4.3 COMBINED APPROACH
photogrammetry [3]. A mixed mode between the two approaches is also
possible and was used for the Weald and Downland
gridshell. In this case, the gridshell was developed from
the architectural concept using physical models.

Figure 4.3: Weald & Downland structure (from [4])

In the initial stage, these informed a computational process

that led to a non-funicular, corrugated form. Since the self-
weight of the building was relatively small, this form was
Figure 4.1: Hanging chain model used for Mannheim
Multihalle (from [14]) better suited to resisting lateral wind loads [4].

This model is shown in Figure 4.1. This process gives the The design process loop involved architect’s drawings
designers information about node coordinates. Scale model providing information about the shape, which was then
testing was also used, firstly for an early prototype used in the development of physical models and these
subsequently helped derive a computer model of the process can be repeated and various parameters can be
shape” [4], based on a Dynamic Relaxation software, adjusted in order to fine tune the geometry according to
specifically written by Dr Chris Williams of the University criteria such as overall dimensions, maximum curvature,
of Bath. Dynamic Relaxation uses particles (nodes) that etc.
are linked by elements and is used to solve static problems
by converting them to dynamic systems using virtual
masses and damping at the nodes [10].

This project, situated between Mannheim and Savill from a

chronological perspective, shows that there is still a case to
be argued for the use of physical models in contemporary
design as an adjacent tool to digital ones, as is also argued
by Azagra and Hay [8].

4.4 CONSTRUCTION BASED APPROACH

Unlike the aforementioned gridshells, the form-finding of
the Pavilion ZA gridshell was based on the proposed
construction process. This involved starting with a flat grid
and pushing the support nodes towards a desired support
configuration, while also pushing the grid upwards. This
proposed construction method was in turn, influenced by
the methods available to the construction team.
The availability of modern software tools and
computational power allow complex structures like timber
gridshells to be designed more easily. Kangaroo Live
Physics (used together with Rhino3D and Grasshopper) is
a computational tool developed by Daniel Piker based on
the Dynamic Relaxation technique [10] and was used for
Pavilion ZA.

Figure 4.5: Form-finding sequence

A) Initial grid laid flat (support and grid forces illustrated)
B) Intermediate shape
C) Final deformed grid

It was possible to simulate the proposed construction by

modelling the following forces applied to a grid made of
springs:
Figure 4.4: Computational design loop
 Pulling force applied to the support nodes aimed
The process of form-finding used is illustrated in Figure at moving them to the desired support
4.4. Starting from an initial geometry, in this case a flat configuration
grid, spring elements are generated and are assigned
 Upward pushing force on all the grid nodes aimed
certain properties. This is followed by the assignment of
at lifting the grid
boundary conditions and various deforming forces. The
dynamic simulation is then performed and, when  Bending resistant force applied to the grid aimed
equilibrium is achieved, a new geometry is obtained. The at simulating the actual bending of the laths
  Spring restoring forces aimed at maintaining the In addition, material properties have to be carefully
node-to-node distances considered to allow for accurate representations. For the
projects described here custom computer programs were
The simulation requires certain values for spring and used, as well as commercial software packages and
bending stiffness as well as the forces being applied. In material testing programmes were used to determine the
this case, “dummy” values were used, not representative of properties of the timber and connections to be used [3], [4].
actual properties. Figure 4.5 shows the initial geometry
together with the applied deforming forces, an
intermediary shape and the final deformed grid. Following
a process of material tests (or by using reliable information
about material properties), it would be possible to replace
the “dummy” values with actual ones.

In addition, the simulation applies all the forces

simultaneously, whereas the proposed construction process
(and the actual one) involves a sequence of deformations
applied to local areas of the grid, usually an overall lift
followed by inward pulling of the supports followed by
more lifting and so on.

As resources and manpower were limited on site, there was

no way to monitor the build in order to provide a
quantitative comparison between the simulation and the
gridshell. However, from a qualitative point of view, there Figure 5.1: Structural model
were close similarities, especially regarding the shapes of
the grid in the intermediary positions. For such problems, explicit or implicit methods can be
used. Implicit methods involve some form of matrix
Furthermore, there were only 3 member breakages calculations and are usually performed by commercial
recorded in total during construction (out of 2760), software. Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis was used to
indicating the curvature analysis and section design was evaluate the performance of Pavilion ZA based on a
correct. structural model developed by the authors and presented in
Naicu [11].
5 ANALYSIS
Additionally, explicit methods can be used and Dynamic
The form-finding process described in Section 4 has to be Relaxation is one example of such methods. Senatore and
followed by a structural design phase that involves sizing Piker provide a good account of this [10].
members, detailed connection design and structural
calculations for the appropriate load scenarios. This 6 CONCLUSIONS
sequence is often an iterative one, where optimisation for
various criteria takes place. Timber gridshells offer the attractive possibility of creating
complex surfaces and spaces using a set of straight
Firstly, the shape of the gridshell is directly linked to the elements that are bent into shape. This makes them
size of timber members to be used, as well as to the affordable and relatively easy to build. Their design and
number of layers. Either one of them can have the analysis methods are diversified and have evolved over
dominant influence. The projects built so far feature a time. Computational possibilities are no longer a limiting
single or double layer configuration but there is no reason factor in the design of timber gridshells. A recent example,
not to extend that further, leading to bigger spans. Thinner Pavilion ZA, was presented which was designed using
members achieve higher curvatures but have lower open-source software by students. Form-finding for
compressive and bending resistance. Pavilion ZA was based on the construction process and it
is now possible to find the shape of a timber gridshell by
Secondly, as for any compression dependant structure, the simulating its real construction process. It would also be
analysis of timber gridshells requires a non-linear study to possible to simulate and monitor a construction sequence.
evaluate buckling behaviour. Gridshell buckling is a vast Even though specialised carpentry skills are usually
topic in itself. Malek [12] provides a good understanding necessary to achieve the long laths typically used, an
of the mechanics of gridshells, and sensibilities of the alternative modular method was presented that has been
performance in relation to grid density, grid size and used for Pavilion ZA. The convergence of sustainability
corrugations in the shape. concerns and computational abilities makes the timber
gridshell technique relevant now.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT [12] Malek, S.R.: The Effect of Geometry and Topology on
the Mechanics of Grid Shells. Thesis (PhD). MIT,
The first author is a PhD Candidate with a University 2012.
Research Studentship from the University of Bath. The [13] Jensen, T.-J., Baverel, O. & Douthe, C:
open-source nature of Kangaroo and the participation of its Morphological and Mechanical Investigation of
creator, Daniel Piker, made possible the realisation of the Interconnected Elastic Gridshells. International
project in Romania. Journal of Space Structures, 28:175-186, 2013.
[14] Institut für leichte Flächentragwerke (IL): IL 13
Pavilion ZA Project Team: Multihalle Mannheim. Stuttgart, 1978.
Project Manager: Razvan Luca
Design workshop tutors: Dragos Naicu, Daniel Piker,
David Stasiuk, Andrei Nejur
Design: Dan Ursu, Cristian Dragos, Bogdan Gavriliu,
Csiby Zsolt
Engineering: Dragos Naicu
Construction: Design team and student volunteers

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